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Noob Guide: Jazz

So...What’s all the jazz about jazz?

First timer? Don’t be overwhelmed. Jazz music is all about the experience—of performing and listening—so relax and enjoy yourself. Jazz is based on syncopated beats, interesting sounds, and improvisation, meaning that no one is quite sure where a performance might go, including the performers. Unlike classical music which makes every effort to create a unified sound, jazz is all about individual people and instruments coming together to combine their unique sounds in order to explore artistic expression and emotions.

(If you’re already a jazz fan, skip this and move on to the Nerd Guide: Jazz.)

But hold on…some history first:

Many people consider jazz one of America’s best contributions to the world of music. Jazz first emerged about 100 years ago in the American South, most distinctly in New Orleans, Louisiana. This seaport city served as home to people of African, French, English, Caribbean, and other backgrounds. It also became a melting pot for music from these many traditions. African American musicians fused elements of ragtime, blues, classical, and big brass band sounds to create this distinct new type of music.

After the first jazz recordings were made in 1917, jazz spread across the nation. It evolved over decades, helped along by influential musicians. In the 1920s, trumpeter Louis Armstrong introduced improvised solos and Duke Ellington popularized big band jazz; in the 1930s, people began dancing to jazz music, thanks to the upbeat sounds of Benny Goodman’s and Count Basie’s swing music. Charlie Parker’s groundbreaking bebop of the 1940s led to Miles Davis’s complex “cool” style in the 1950s. Jazz moved into the 1960s with pioneers like John Coltrane and his modal jazz; the next decades brought more change—from fusion, which brought together multiple styles, to the neo-classical leanings of Wynton Marsalis and other “young lions.” Jazz continues to evolve today—building on its vast legacy of innovation and experimentation.

And one more thing…

You also should know about jazz standards. These popular musical songs were composed mostly between the 1920s and 1960s for Broadway musicals and films. They are called “standards” because they’re so widely known and performed. They have become a permanent part of the jazz music repertoire, also known as the “Great American Songbook.”

Want to learn more about jazz music and musicians? Check out some of these links:

Jazz 101 A detailed breakdown of different type of jazz including suggested listening for each style

Jazz in Time The history of a great American musical movement

Blue Note Experiment On the 75th anniversary of Blue Note Records, the Kennedy Center worked to explore the Blue Note aesthetic

How to Listen: An Introduction to Getting into Jazz A generic listening guide to help you enjoy your journey into jazz

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Musical Must-Do’s

#KnowBeforeYouGo

Before the Concert

Before any music fills your ears…

Check Your Movements. Read your program to find out whether the concert’s music will have multiple movements (parts). (Concertos usually have three, and sonatas have three or four.)

During the Concert

Ready to start tapping your toes to the beat? Here’s what to keep in mind once the show begins…

Place Settings. Most orchestras are arranged in a fan-shape. The strings are always in the front, sitting in successive rows, with first and second violins on the left. Then sit the violas, cellos, with double basses (usually) on the right. Deeper in the back are the woodwinds (flutes, clarinets, oboes, English horns, bassoons, and contra-bassoons) and the brasses (French horns, trumpets, trombones, and tuba). The percussion instruments (timpani, side and bass drums, and cymbals) are located in the rear.

Tune Up. After the orchestra is seated, the first violinist, or “concertmaster,” bows to applause, and takes his/her seat. This person then asks the principal oboist to sound an “A” to which the entire orchestra tunes. Once tuned, the conductor and/or soloist walks onstage and the audience applauds.

Think Before You Clap. In orchestra performances, you should clap when the conductor appears onstage and at the end of each musical number, not after each movement. But be careful. Sometimes it sounds like a piece is over, but it’s really just the silence between movements. Hint: Check out the conductor; he or she will lower their hands at the end of a piece. Or, follow along in your program to see how the music is listed. Better yet, wait and follow the crowd when to clap. Let’s practice. Say you’re listening to a piano soloist performing Beethoven’s Piano Sonata Number 14, the “Moonlight Sonata.” You’ll hear:

The slow first movement (Silence. Don’t clap.)

The faster second movement (Silence. Don’t clap.)

The incredibly fast third movement (Clap here!)

Another clapping clue: When it’s time to applaud, the conductor might step down from the podium and bow. He or she may direct soloists to the front of the stage so that they can receive special recognition and applause as well. Orchestra members might tap their stands instead of clapping.

Stand in Support. If you love a performance, you can rise when you clap, and give the orchestra a standing ovation. And don’t be surprised if the audience yells out “Bravo” or “Brava” for a job “well done.”

There’s More? Sometimes, if the audience shows enough enthusiasm at the end of the concert, the orchestra will perform an encore. This means they will perform a musical number that’s not on the program—but it has to be one that they’ve rehearsed, so don’t yell out any requests!

Jazz Concerts

But wait! That’s not all! Jazz concerts are sometimes different from symphonic and orchestral, and are usually more casual. The big difference you should keep in what to do during the show.

Clap-Happy. You’ll probably find that jazz audiences clap or even call out their support for the musicians quite often. Feel free to clap at the end of instrumental solos, songs, sets, and performances. (“Sets” are groups of musical numbers; the band may take a momentary break between individual pieces and longer breaks between sets.) While the audience at a jazz concert is far less formal than at a classical music performance, you still need to be respectful of the musicians and other audience members.

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PHOTO (top) by Scott Suchman

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Dramatic Do’s and Don’ts

#KnowBeforeYouGo

Before the Show

Before the curtain rises, here’s what you need to know…

Wish Them Well. Did you hear anyone say, “Break a leg!” to an actor? Though it doesn’t sound nice, it is. To an actor, “break a leg” means “good luck.”

Peer into the Pit. If the show has live music, it probably has a pit—that hole below the stage where the musicians sit. Before the show starts, go take a peek at it.

Musicals: Know the Score. Many people read plays before seeing them performed. To prepare for a musical, though, it’s more common to listen to the show’s soundtrack. The songs will give you a sense of the plot and mood of the performance. Plus, you’ll be able to sing along during the show (in your head, never out loud)!

During the Show

Once the lights dim and the show is underway, remember to…

Listen Right Away. At the start of a musical, the lights will dim, and you might hear live music before you see anything happening on stage. What you’re hearing is the overture, which includes little bits of all the songs you’ll hear in the show. Be sure to listen quietly—the overture is part of the show.

Don’t talk back. If characters in a play talk directly to the audience, they’re “breaking the fourth wall.”

If You’re Happy and You Know It. Theater audiences generally clap at the end of acts. An exception: In musicals, you can clap at the end of any song or dance number—or occasionally in the middle of one if a performer does something really complicated. A “showstopper” is when a performer sings or does something so well that it literally stops the show with audience applause.

Time Out. Sometimes during a musical performance there is an “11 o’clock moment.” No, that doesn’t mean everyone has to leave. It’s when something really big happens—like a song or an event or special spectacle. Usually the audience recognizes this moment with loud applause.

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PHOTO by Joan Marcus The National Touring Company of Wicked

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Dance Do’s and Don’ts

#KnowBeforeYouGo

Before the Show

What’s the story? Dance performances don’t usually have dialogue. If you’re seeing a full-length dance show, you might want to find out in advance whether it has a storyline. For example, some ballets are based on famous fairytales, as with Sleeping Beauty and Peter Pan. Plan on researching the story, choreographer, composer, even the dance company and dancers. The more you know, the more you will enjoy the show.

Listen up! A great way to prepare for a dance performance is to listen to the music either online or on a CD. You’ll appreciate the performance much more if you can become familiar with the music.

During the Show

Clap for Spins. In dance performances with live music, clap when the conductor first appears. In any performance, you can also clap after dances and after impressive dance moves, like fast pirouettes (spins).

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PHOTO by Ayodele Casel WHY YOU FOLLOW with Arcell Cabaug and Coral Dolphin of Evidence Dance Company.

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Field Guide: Galleries

#KnowBeforeYouGo

Before You Arrive

Going to an art gallery? Here’s what you need to know before your trip…

Dress up. You can leave the evening gown at home, but do try to look nice.

Bring warmth. Even if it’s toasty outside, bring a sweater or jacket. Galleries can be cold. It’ll be hard to concentrate on the exhibit if you’re shivering.

Bring your tickets. For obvious reasons. (If you’re going to a free exhibit or museum, you probably don’t need tickets.)

Bring money. For prints, postcards, or other art souvenirs.

Turn off your cell phone. And anything else electronic that could cause a ruckus.

Plan. What will you do if you get separated from your group? Agree on a meeting place and make sure everyone knows what it is.

Do your homework. You may want to research the museum and exhibit before the trip. Read up on the artist(s) and work(s) you’ll be viewing. The more you know, the better prepared you’ll be to enjoy your experience.

At the Gallery

You’ve arrived! Now what?

Map it. Grab a map at the entrance. Plan out which exhibits you’d like to visit.

No pictures, please. Don’t take photos unless you have been told that it’s okay to do so. Check it out online when you get home.

Talk quietly, walk calmly. In other words, don’t yell or run. Be especially quiet near visitors taking guided tours or listening to audio tours on headsets.

Read the signs. Big signs often provide background information about the exhibit you’re seeing. Small ID cards are displayed next to individual pieces of art; they include artists’ names, nationalities, and birth and death years; artwork titles; the year the piece was created; and the materials used to create the artwork. For example:

Teachy McTeacherson

American, 1982-

Happy Students Buying Teacher Appreciation Gifts during a Gallery Trip, 2010

Mechanical pencil on canvas

There’s no need to read every placard, but take a look at the notes for the works that catch your eye.

Steer clear. If a visitor is looking at artwork, try not to cut in front of that person and block his or her view. Galleries and museums can get awfully crowded, especially in front of famous works of art. Be patient. It will be worth the wait.

Say hello. To museum docents, who provide information about exhibits to visitors. Also say hello to guards, who often stand in or near a room to make sure that nothing happens to the artwork. Did you know that any one piece of artwork can be worth millions of dollars? The guards aren’t just here for show—they have the serious job of protecting valuable art from any mishaps.

Don’t munch. In most galleries, no food, gum, or beverages are allowed outside of the cafeteria (if there is one). If you’re thirsty, you can often find water fountains near the bathrooms.

No touching. That means pictures or anything else on display. That also includes sculptures, which are not jungle gyms, even if they’re outside.

Relax. If you see a bench, you can sit. Give up your spot more quickly if other gallery guests look tired and need a seat. Exception: Do not sit on the bench if it is roped off or behind a sign that says, “Ancient Bench.”

Catch a screening. Often, museums feature a video about a special artist or subject on exhibit. Take a time-out. Have a seat and catch the video. You’ll learn a lot of interesting information. (Yes, even without popcorn.)

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Field Guide: Concert Halls

#KnowBeforeYouGo

Before the Show

Before any music fills your ears…

Dress up. No need for a tuxedo, but do try to look nice.

Bring warmth. Even if it’s toasty outside, bring a sweater or jacket. Concert halls are usually cold. It’ll be hard to concentrate on the performance if you’re shivering.

Bring your tickets. For obvious reasons.

Bring money. If you want to buy a souvenir.

Go. To see the lobby. To use the bathroom. To see the view from another part of the concert hall. Do it now, before the show starts.

Turn off your cell phone. And anything else electronic that could cause a ruckus.

Find the “EXIT” signs. Look for the illuminated signs over the doors. You always want to know where the nearest emergency exit is in a concert hall in case of a natural disaster, a medical situation, or a fire.

Read your program. This tells you what music you’re about to hear, who composed it, and who’s playing and conducting it. You can also find out whether the concert’s music will have multiple movements, or part. (Concertos usually have three, and sonatas have three or four.)

Don’t munch. At most concert halls, no food, gum, or beverages are allowed inside the hall itself. If you think you might need a breath mint or cough drop during the show, unwrap it quietly or, better yet, before the performance.

Thank ushers. These are the people who give you programs, show you to your seat, and answer your questions. Sometimes they use flashlights to shine the way if you arrive late or need to leave to use the bathroom. Let them help you back to your seat so that you don’t trip.

During the Show

Let the music fill your head, but keep these other things in the back of your mind during the concert…

No pictures, please. Don’t take photos unless you have been told that it’s okay to do so.

Rest in peace. Shhhh. Save any chit-chat for later. The musicians need silence so that they can focus on their performance, and the rest of the audience needs silence to concentrate, too.

Respect the chairs. Don’t put your feet on them, kick them, or make them feel bad about themselves.

Intermission: There’s a break about halfway through most concert hall performances. Some shows have two intermissions. This is a great time to use the bathroom (though the women’s room often has a long line), get a drink of water, blow your nose, stretch your legs, or eavesdrop as people sitting nearby make clever comments about the music.

Power outage? If it’s before the show or the end of intermission, you might see the lights go on and off several times or hear the sound of chimes. These signals mean audience members should sit down—it’s almost time for the show to start (or restart).

Place settings. Most orchestras arrange the performers’ seats in the shape of a fan, with the conductor at its narrowest point. The strings sit nearby, in the front rows, with first and second violins on the audience’s left and the violas, cellos, with double basses (usually) on the right. Farther back are the woodwinds (flutes, clarinets, oboes, English horns, bassoons, and contra-bassoons) and the brasses (French horns, trumpets, trombones, and tuba). From the balcony, you would have a good view of the percussion instruments (timpani, side and bass drums, and cymbals), which end up in the rear.

Tune up. After an orchestra is seated, the first violinist, or “concertmaster,” bows to the audience and takes his or her seat. This person then asks the principal oboist to sound an “A,” to which the entire orchestra tunes. Once tuned, the conductor and/or soloist walks onstage, and the audience applauds.

Think before you clap. In orchestra performances, you should clap when the first violinist appears onstage, when the conductor appears onstage, and at the end of each musical number—and not after each movement. Be careful. Sometimes it sounds like a piece is over, but it’s really just the silence between movements. Hint: Check your program. Or look at the conductor, who will only lower his or her hands fully at the end of a piece. When in doubt, wait and follow the crowd for when to clap. Let’s practice. Say you’re listening to a piano soloist performing Beethoven’s Piano Sonata Number 14, the “Moonlight Sonata.” What you’ll hear - What you should do The slow first movement - Don’t clap. The faster second movement - Don’t clap. The incredibly fast third movement - Clap here! Another clapping clue: When it’s time to applaud, the conductor might step down from the podium and bow. He or she may direct soloists to the front of the stage so that they can receive special recognition and applause as well.Orchestra members might tap their stands instead of clapping.

Stand in support. If you love a performance, you can rise when you clap, and give the orchestra a standing ovation. Don’t be surprised if the audience yells out “Bravo!” or “Brava!” for a job well done.

There’s more? Sometimes, if the audience shows enough enthusiasm at the end of the concert, the orchestra will perform an encore. This means they will perform a musical number that’s not on the program—but it has to be one that they’ve rehearsed, so don’t yell out any requests!

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JAZZ

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In the Studio with Jason Moran

Join Jason Moran, the Kennedy Center's Artistic Advisor for Jazz, in this podcast as he explains the basics of jazz music and how the art form works. Along with his band—Kimberly Thompson on drums; Casey Benjamin on saxophone, keytar, and vocoder; and Vicente Archer on bass—Jason will show you how jazz is more like skateboarding and football than you would think, play some original pieces, and play a few of the classic jazz standards.